The current Caron live-streaming channel has attracted the participation of a major gambling company, with the number of gamblers exceeding five figures. Caron's show is becoming increasingly popular, and this desolate and remote planet has drawn several large live-streaming companies to join the fray. Above Earth, more than a dozen live-streaming airships have appeared, with the larger ones covering an aerial range of up to a kilometer. However, these airships are invisible to those on the ground. Some technically rudimentary airships appear to Earthlings as stationary clouds reluctant to drift away.
The hunting game can now be live-streamed from multiple locations simultaneously, with increasingly bloody and thrilling requirements. A large number of black spores have been released, creating a host of mutated creatures that participate in the hunting games.
Meanwhile, a growing number of people on Earth are experiencing a peculiar phenomenon: their memories are becoming chaotic and disordered. Many are convinced that historical events, famous names, and iconic symbols they recall differ from reality. This phenomenon is known as the "Mandela Effect," as many people remember former South African President Nelson Mandela dying in the 1980s, even though he actually passed away in 2013. Over time, these memory discrepancies have become more widespread, even affecting childhood memories. Many adults have started doubting whether their childhood experiences were real or just illusions.
In an ordinary community, several adults gathered to share their childhood memories. To their surprise, they discovered many similarities in their recollections, yet these memories were entirely inconsistent with reality. Someone remembered a giant oak tree in front of their childhood home, now replaced by an empty lot. Another recalled their favorite cartoon character being blue, only for it to now appear red. Psychologists and scientists were baffled, attempting to uncover the reasons behind the phenomenon.
Earth's flora and fauna also began to undergo bizarre changes, with many never-before-seen mutated creatures emerging. These creatures were not only grotesque in appearance but also exhibited extreme aggression, posing a significant threat to human society. Additionally, there was a surge in missing persons cases. Even among survivors, their experiences and memories were increasingly jumbled. Amid the chaos, more adults started realizing their memories were faltering, questioning whether external forces were at play. As Dr. James and Dr. Monica delved deeper into their research, they discovered an inexplicable link between the black spores and these strange phenomena. Soon after, a grassroots network of extraordinary individuals began to expand, attracting official attention.
Caron, looking at the six-figure viewer count, knew it was an impressive record, but the presence of rivals gnawed at him. He narrated with even more enthusiasm:
"Now, Night Eye has shifted his attack strategy, abandoning his rapid, aggressive assaults. A-Lai's spear has transformed into an indestructible metal sphere—I doubt even water could penetrate it!"
A-Lai scanned his surroundings, his legs slightly bent in a stance ready to evade at any moment. His every breath was cautious, ears perked to catch the faintest sound. The pit was surrounded by steep cliffs, with a solitary tower standing at the center. The abruptness of the setting raised a question in A-Lai's mind: How had the central tower been constructed?
Fixating on the tower, A-Lai crept closer, eyes locked ahead and footsteps light. Suddenly, the ground trembled slightly, his heart pounding in response. The next moment, a column of turquoise flame burst from the earth, scorching a one-meter radius to blackened ash. The searing heat surged forward, forcing him to leap back reflexively, his body tracing a graceful arc through the air.
As he was about to land, a chilling sensation stabbed through his back. Night Eye had been lying in wait beneath the soil nearby, seizing the perfect moment to strike. Mid-air and with no leverage, A-Lai could only watch helplessly as the blade glinted coldly, aiming straight for him.
Night Eye's eyes gleamed with merciless delight. His thoughts raced with satisfaction: Perfect ambush. Perfect ground-fire eruption. Perfect assassination timing. Every move was meticulously planned, like a patient leopard waiting for the decisive moment.
"This is the'Buddha's Son?'" Night Eye sneered internally."Responsible for passing down the Buddhist relics, yet his protectors seem oddly careless. These monks seem indifferent to everything—even if they're stabbed, burned, or thrown off a cliff, they barely react. My training since childhood has been to focus all my will into this one strike, to annihilate these zealots. If my will is strong enough, I can destroy heaven and earth!"
The blade plunged into A-Lai's back, pain spreading like an icy serpent through his body. Night Eye withdrew the blade, preparing for a second strike. However, A-Lai twisted his body fiercely, causing the blade to only partially penetrate. The recoil flung Night Eye backward, and he landed on the ground.
Instead of pursuing, Night Eye calmly observed A-Lai's movements. Blood gushed from A-Lai's wound as he sat cross-legged, tore off a piece of fabric to bandage the injury, and placed his spear across his knees. His expression remained serene, as if unscathed.
Night Eye stood silently nearby, like a vulture waiting for its prey to bleed out. His cracked lips curled into a chilling smirk as he awaited the ideal moment—when A-Lai would lapse into unconsciousness but not yet die—to devour and absorb A-Lai's power.
The tremors in the ground subsided, leaving behind the acrid scent of burning and blood. The audience watching the live broadcast held their breath, eyes glued to every detail on the screen. Caron's voice, trembling with excitement, resonated through the air:
"Now, the patience of Night Eye and the resilience of A-Lai will determine the outcome of this battle!"
It didn't take long for A-Lai's makeshift bandage to soak through with blood. His body swayed before collapsing to the ground. Night Eye brushed off imaginary dust from his clothes and walked over with a spring in his step. He sneered,"Your acting is terrible. If you're going to fake passing out, at least make it convincing!"
A-Lai remained motionless, his head touching the ground and legs crossed, as though he had lost consciousness. Night Eye warily surveyed the surroundings, then cautiously approached A-Lai's back. Facing the seemingly defenseless target, he couldn't help but smirk cruelly.
He launched three ghostly darts, each tipped with deadly poison, which silently embedded themselves into A-Lai's back. A-Lai's body trembled slightly as the darts pierced his flesh.
Still, Night Eye refused to lower his guard. Holding a blade in one hand, he reached for the nape of A-Lai's neck with the other. Excitement surged within him; he hadn't expected to commence the devouring ritual so soon. Victory was within his grasp. His eyes shone with fanaticism as he muttered to himself:
"Finally, it's time…"
Despite his cautious movements, Night Eye's inner elation was palpable. Taking a deep breath, he prepared to perform the final ritual, extracting A-Lai's spiritual essence from the Baihui point atop his head to amplify his own strength.